Singapore 3-1 Indonesia: Aleksandar Duric At The Double

Singapore secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in Wednesday night’s friendly international against Indonesia at the National Stadium.

Two headed goals from Aleksandar Duric and another from Noh Alam Shah were enough to see off their neighbours.

All three goals came from set plays, with top-notch delivery from free-kicks for the first two goals and just as good service from a corner kick for the third, all thanks to the dead-ball skills of Shaiful Esah.

Singapore had earned corners early in the game, before the Indonesians needlessly conceded a free-kick, out wide on the right, when a marauding Shahril Ishak had been brought down, with only ten minutes gone.

Shaiful’s crisply-struck free-kick came at an awkward trajectory for the Indonesian defenders to deal with and Duric, closest to goal of a number of attacking players, got his head to the ball with all his customary aplomb, as the keeper remained rooted to his goal line.

Poor marking, however, by the Lions’ defence, three minutes later, saw Indonesia draw level as a swift move from the right, and then into the centre, had home team defenders backing off.

The ball was not dealt with and Eka Ramdani was able to sweep the ball low past a helpless Hassan Sunny.

Singapore continued to enjoy most of the possession and their passes seemed to find their men with ease as gaps opened up all over the field.

A close-range shot from Shahril Ishak, soon after the equalising goal had been scored, was well-saved at the base of his post by Indonesia keeper, Markus Harison Rihihina.

Ridhuan Muhamad was well to the fore down the right flank and after he had been brought down, Shaiful’s next free kick, in the 21st, allowed Alam Shah to head firmly past the keeper, from 10 yards out.

 Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic changed keepers at half time, bringing on Lionel Lewis for Hassan, later introducing Indra for Shahril Ishak at the hour mark and Hariss Harun for Fahrudin who had taken a knock in the 55th minute.

Khairul Amri and Precious also came on for the last 20 minutes or so for Ridhuan and Daniel Bennett.

Then came goal number three, another corner from Shaiful that reached Duric in the goalmouth, whose back was to the goal. The ball skimmed off the back of the head of the veteran.

Some long-range shots from Indonesia’s substitutes, Muhammad Ridwan and Saktiawan Sinaga failed to trouble Lionel, whose handling was steady and secure.

He produced a good save in the 84th to deny Sinaga, who had struck firmly from 25 yards.

Paul Green